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The 8 Best Bath Towels To Buy In 2025, Based On Rigorous Tests

Bath towels are a daily necessity—but that doesn’t mean they can’t double as a daily luxury. After rigorously testing 13 popular styles for several weeks, we rounded up the eight best bath towels in 2025 based on feedback from our testing panel. Our top pick is Frontgate’s Resort Collection Bath Towel, a plush, hotel-worthy option that doesn’t sacrifice absorbency or lose its thickness in the wash. Meanwhile, the midweight, quick-drying Everplush Diamond Jacquard Towel surprised one tester with its high absorbency. Matouk’s Milagro Bath Towel, which stayed plush and fluffy after multiple washes, was the clear standout in the luxury category.

Here are all eight winners from our testing process:

Before testing began, we carefully selected contenders that represented a diverse range of sizes, weaves and price points. We put our final list of bath towels to the test for up to three weeks, assessing each one’s plushness, absorbency, drying efficiency and durability, especially following a laundering routine. Read more about each of the best bath towels we tested below, as well as our experts’ top tips on maintaining your towels and keeping them soft. We’ll continue to update this story with longterm testing insights as they emerge.

Best Bath Towel Overall

Blanket-Like, With Unmatched Thickness And Absorbency

Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.8

Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Construction: Terry | Size: 30 x 58 inches | Weight: 700 GSM | Colors: 27 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

What you’ll love:

  • Ultra-soft, hotel-style feel
  • Monogram option
  • Stands up very well to frequent laundering

Keep in mind:

  • Not the quickest-drying towel

This Frontgate option is akin to a towel you’d find in a 5-star hotel. Soft, fluffy and luxurious to the touch, it’s more substantial than your average towel, but manages to toe the line perfectly between the “too thick” and “too thin” outliers. Its long-staple Turkish cotton material and overall design gives it a luxurious feel; in fact, it was one of the softest and plushest of the options we tried.

Our tester loved how well made each towel was, noting that they held up well after many rounds of laundering. “What surprised me is that after multiple washes, they look and feel exactly the same as when I first touched them,” one tester raves. “I almost feel like they got fluffier after being washed. I’m used to towels losing their plushness and becoming flatter after multiple washes.”

That said, these towels aren’t for everyone: Some may not find them as quick-drying as others on our list. One tester noted that there were still some damp spots remaining on the towel a full five hours after showering. (If you’re looking for a towel that dries effortlessly and quickly, you might prefer the lighter-weight Onsen towel below.) In addition, the level of thickness here might not be suitable for some users who prefer a thinner towel. Overall, though, this was an across-the-board favorite, and it comes with a delightful added bonus: 27 colorways to choose from.

Long-term testing notes: One of our panelists, who has been using the Frontgate Resort, Brooklinen Super-Plush and Matouk towels in the months after initial testing, reports that the Frontgate towels are her “ultimate favorite.” She says, “They are so soft, but not too soft that they don’t dry you. They stack so well when folded and have kept their luxurious feel after many washes.” Another shares that hers are “still just as cozy and soft as day one.”

Coupons By Forbes VettedThe Best Frontgate Promo Codes | Online Promo Codes, Offers & Discounts

The 2025 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.


Best Value Bath Towel

A Solid, No-Frills Option To Stock In Your Guest Bathroom

Amazon Basics Quick-Dry Bath Towels (2-Pack)

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.5

Material: Cotton | Construction: Terry | Size: 30 x 54 inches | Weight: 430 GSM | Colors: 4 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

What you’ll love:

  • Made from 100% cotton
  • Dries quite quickly
  • Ideal for stocking guest rooms or linen closets

Keep in mind:

  • Not luxury-quality or the most absorbent 

For a value play, it’s hard to beat the wallet-friendly price of these towels—$19 for a pack of two makes these Amazon towels an easy win in this category. But price isn’t the only draw to these basic towels: Our tester was equally impressed with their overall quality. “The first thing I noticed about these bath towels was their texture and softness,” she says. “For the price, it’s pretty impressive.” The towel itself is on the thinner side, but the cotton material gives it a more plush feel. “When wet, the towel does get softer, which makes it perfect as a wash cloth,” our tester continues. “The rougher side provides a great exfoliant without being too harsh on the skin, while the other side of the wash cloth is soft enough to use on gentler areas, like your face.”

Of course, it likely comes as no surprise that these towels did not blow us out of the water in the durability department. After the first wash, the towel was unaffected, our tester claims—it was “just as soft and fluffy” as it was out of the box. But after a third wash, the difference was apparent: “It’s a bit rougher and definitely not as soft as before.” That said, some change in feel is to be expected from nearly all of the towels on our list. Overall, it remains a great choice for those in need of a basic, straightforward bath towel, whether for their own bathroom, a guest room or as an extra option to use at the gym.

Long-term testing notes: Since testing, our panelist, who owns the entire Amazon Quick-Dry towel set, reports that they’ve become her go-to, both in the shower and out. “I love using the little wash cloths to exfoliate my body, and the bigger ones to dry me and my hair off after. The cotton is still just as soft as it was on day one despite the multiple washes they’ve been through,” she says, adding that she was expecting them to lose their softness or start shedding after two months considering their affordable price tag—which hasn’t been the case.


Best Midweight Bath Towel

Non-Bulky And Surprisingly Soft And Absorbent

Everplush Diamond Jacquard Bath Towel

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.5

Material: 60% microfiber, 40% cotton | Construction: Z-twist, jacquard weave | Size: 35 x 56 inches | Weight: 500 GSM | Colors: 9 | Certifications: None

What you’ll love:

  • Quick shipping is ideal for last-minute guests
  • Soft, even after frequent laundering
  • Budget-friendly but still soft and absorbent

Keep in mind: 

  • It’s not made with 100% cotton (and isn’t Oeko-Tex certified)

The Everplush Diamond Jacquard Bath Towels are a great, midweight pick that may not be the fluffiest on our list, but are still incredibly soft, thanks to the towels’ patented cotton and microfiber loops. Our tester was pleasantly surprised and impressed with how absorbent these towels turned out to be: “I was not expecting them to dry me after showers as quickly and efficiently as they did, but the Everplush worked better than my old, thicker bath towels,” he says. “The towel feels soft and comfy like cotton, but seems to have an underlying microfiber structure that’s really good at wicking away water.” These towels come in nine colors and feature luxe-looking, contrasting hems. They also have a diamond-shaped jacquard weave that adds a unique design element and allows them to dry faster.

“An unexpected pleasure I get from the Everplush is that since they’re so much lighter in weight and thickness than my usual towels, they heat much faster in my bathroom towel warmer,” our tester adds. “I can throw one in the warming bucket as I’m stepping into the shower and it’s toasty warm by the time I step out. My older set of towels needed to heat up for a while, given their bulk.”

Long-term testing notes: “After several months, not only do I still enjoy using the Everplush towels, but I also discovered that my teenaged stepdaughter rifles though the towel closet, pushing aside the thicker, heavier towels specifically in search of them,” says our panelist. “She told me, ‘They're so soft!’”


Best Heavyweight Bath Towel

A Heavyweight, Extra-Thick Brooklinen Bestseller

MOST POPULAR

Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towel (2-Pack)

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.0

Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Construction: Z-twist | Size: 30 x 58 inches | Weight: 820 GSM | Colors: 18 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

What you’ll love:

  • Extra-thick and fluffy feel
  • Wide array of colors
  • Very absorbent

Keep in mind:

  • You’re looking for a lighter-weight option

The Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towel is one of those luxuries that you’ve got to try to believe. Several Forbes Vetted editors count these extra-plush towels among their favorite Brooklinen products, and if “really, really fluffy” is one of your towel non-negotiables, you’ll be delighted with them, too. While they’re certainly not for everyone—these do offer a far thicker texture than other towels on our list—they’re an incredible option for those who are looking for a little extra fluff in their lives. That thickness translates into a heaviness, so just make sure you’re ready to use a little arm strength each time you reach for one fresh out of the shower. Our testers found these towels to be incredibly durable, with each wash leaving them softer somehow.

One of our testers notes that while the towel feels luxurious and extra-thick on first use, that plushness shrunk “a small amount” after its first run through the washer (from “very plush” to “just plain plush”). She adds, “I didn’t count that as a mark against the product; subsequent washes revealed that it maintained that same post–first-wash feel. It still offers a far thicker texture than the other towels I tried on this list.”

Long-term testing notes: After continuing to use these towels two months after testing, our tester shares that she likes them second-best after Frontgate’s Resort Collection. “The Brooklinen Super-Plush have held up very well, though they may be a little too thick for some people depending on their preference,” she adds.

Coupons By Forbes VettedThe Best Brooklinen Promo Codes | Online Promo Codes, Offers & Discounts

Best Luxury Bath Towel

Ultra-Soft And Spa-Like

Matouk Milagro Bath Towel

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.0

Material: Long-staple cotton | Construction: Z-twist | Size: 30 x 60 inches | Weight: 550 GSM | Colors: 23 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

What you’ll love:

  • Consistently quick-drying (even in damp rooms)
  • Monogram options
  • 23 color options available

Keep in mind:

  • Not the fluffiest or most heavyweight

These towels were the most expensive that we tested (by a landslide), and yet they proved to be well worth their heftier price tag. They arrive in beautifully wrapped packaging, but they’re soft and luxurious to the touch—and, most importantly, they’ve stayed that way stayed after multiple rounds of washing and drying. Our tester consistently reaches for these towels when she steps out of the shower now, and post-testing, she continues to be impressed by their luxurious feel.

“I typically prefer an overly thick and fluffy towel—hence why I love the Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towel—but I appreciate and have come to enjoy the midrange pile of this towel,” she says. “It’s mainly just beautiful. I love to display this towel on my towel rack; it looks great draped over the rack with its rich color and detailed edges.” Further, while the Matouk was one of the most absorbent picks we tested (matching the Frontgate towel’s performance), it’s also surprisingly quick drying due to being 5 ounces lighter than the latter. While we recommend the Frontgate as the best overall pick for most people, the midrange pile on the Matouk is a great choice for that in-between plushness range.

Long-term testing notes: The Matouk continues to look and feel luxurious two months post-testing, and our tester would “buy them again without question.” But, she adds, “in terms of absorbing water, they are slightly less effective than the Frontgate Resort because they are so soft.”


Best Quick-Dry Bath Towel

The Best of Both Worlds In Softness And Drying Time

Brooklinen Classic Turkish Cotton Bath Towels (2-Pack)

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.3

Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Construction: Terry | Size: 30 x 58 inches | Weight: 550 GSM | Colors: 9 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

What you’ll love:

  • Everyday towel that stands up to daily use
  • Dries reliably quickly, even in damp spaces
  • Lighter-weight, if that’s what you prefer

Keep in mind: 

  • Not the fluffiest or heaviest-weight

If you’re seeking a soft but fast-drying towel with high-quality construction, Brooklinen’s Classic Turkish Cotton Bath Towel fits the bill. While you can certainly find plusher, more premium options, these towels are made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton and they’re incredibly absorbent. It’s worth noting, though, that if you’re someone who likes heavy linens that envelop you, these aren’t the ideal pick for you. “When I first opened the box, I wished the towels were a touch fluffier,” admits one staff tester. “But they’re still nice and soft to the touch. And considering their lighter weight, they’re very good at absorbing water.”

Compared with other towels, Brooklinen’s Classic Turkish Cotton Bath Towels have been consistently quick-drying, even in damp spaces. “Because these aren’t heavyweight towels, they do dry so, so quickly,” our tester says. “I really appreciate this, as my bathroom doesn’t have the best air ventilation, and the longer your towels stay damp, the longer bacteria can grow.” These towels are available in nine different hues, including Brooklinen’s rotating “limited edition” colorways that arrive seasonally. After several weeks of use, our tester found no major signs of wear or loose fibers.

Editor’s note: Brooklinen has discontinued the Classic Turkish Cotton Bath Towel, replacing it with what the brand says is the “improved” version: the Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towel. The original is still available on Amazon, though, and we continue to stand behind this pick. We plan to test the new towel and compare it with the original.


Best Waffle Bath Towel

Lightweight And Stylish, With Superior Absorption

Onsen Supima Waffle Bath Towel

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.5

Material: Long-staple American Supima cotton | Construction: Waffle weave | Size: 31 x 57 inches | Weight: 470 GSM | Colors: 12 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

What you’ll love:

  • Lightweight, breathable and quick-drying
  • Waffle-weave texture is aesthetically pleasing but absorbent
  • Great if you have limited storage space

Keep in mind:

  • Not for fans of extra-thick, plush towels

Waffle towels are incredibly breathable and ultra lightweight, making them an increasingly popular option for anyone who appreciates an airier feel. Unlike a terry-weave towel, which features tight loops, this style is woven with raised threads that form small squares or rectangles. The Onsen towel is emblematic of all of the above: It’s impressively lightweight with a GSM of just 470, meaning it absorbs moisture quickly, dries fast and—because of its weight—takes up less space in a closet or on a towel rack than most other towels (a great choice for those with small storage spaces). The waffle-weave texture adds a unique design element for those looking for something different from a traditional terry towel.

“I’ve only used waffle towels at hotels in the past, but these are really nice ones,” says one of our staff testers. “They are softer and more stretchy, so to speak, than others I’ve used—in a good way.” She also highlights the impressive absorbency factor: “I can dry off quickly with them or stay wrapped up in them for a while comfortably.” Although they are inherently thinner and less plush than other towels we tested, they are still soft and feel nice on the skin. Added bonus: The tag on these towels doubles as a hook. (Senior reviews editor Anna Perling also likes these Onsen towels’ aesthetic and quick-drying abilities; read her full review for more details.)


Best Bath Sheet

A Gift-Worthy, Blanket-Like Towel Made With Organic Cotton

Boll & Branch Plush Bath Sheet

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.5

Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Construction: Terry | Size: 36 x 70 inches | Weight: 820 GSM | Colors: 10 | Certifications: Oeko-Tex, GOTS

What you’ll love:

  • Oversized design feels like a blanket
  • Offers a warm, cuddly experience post-shower or bath
  • No-fail luxury gift

Keep in mind: 

  • Not the fastest-drying towel on our list

Bath sheets are typically about 860 square inches larger than standard bath towels, so they provide more of a cuddly, blanket-like feel than a traditionally sized towel. These gorgeous Boll & Branch bath sheets are made of high-quality cotton and are unbelievably soft, which comes as no surprise given the brand’s reputation for luxury. Bonus points go to the packaging: Each towel arrived individually wrapped with a white ribbon, making them feel like a special present (this also makes them perfect for gifting).

“Right out of the box, the towels felt incredibly luxurious, soft and fluffy,” says our tester. “I’d describe them as having a medium plushness, medium thickness and medium softness—comfortable and absorbent, but not quite as plush as I expected given their ‘plush bath sheet’ name.”

In terms of drying, they get the job done—and then some. “Even setting the size aside, I found them to be highly effective at absorbing moisture,” our tester notes. “After the first wash, they lost a bit of their initial plushness, but that actually made them more absorbent. Slight reduction in softness added a bit of friction, which helps the towel do its job better.” A slight loss of plushness after a first wash is also to be expected, generally speaking.


Other Bath Towels We Tested

Our panelists also tested five additional bath towels that didn’t make our list of winners. Still, they might be worth looking into, depending on what you’re looking for. We detail these towels and our findings below:

  • Parachute Classic Turkish Towels ($49): Parachute’s 100% Turkish cotton towels felt soft and have a Oeko-Tex certification, but our tester deemed them not quite worth the price tag, since they scored middle-of-the-pack in terms of absorbency and drying abilities. But if you’re already a fan of the brand and have the budget to spare, it might be worth trying out.
  • Riley Spa Bath Towel ($60): This pick, made with 100% Egyptian long-staple cotton, will please those who like lighter-weight towels; for its price, though, our tester notes it wasn’t as soft as they expected. “It felt more like a beach towel than the sort you might like to wrap yourself up in and linger for a while,” she notes. There are thoughtful details we appreciate, though, such as curved edges and a hanging loop.
  • Coyuchi Cloud Loom Organic Towel ($78): Coyuchi’s 100% organic cotton pick was among the most expensive towels we tested; unfortunately, our panelist felt the quality was not as high as she expected. It’s undeniably attractive, though, with details like delicate piping and thick terry loops, and we like that it’s GOTS and Fair Trade certified. But it came in last place in our absorbency tests and wasn’t nearly as soft as the Matouk or Frontgate towels.
  • Utopia Premium Bath Towel Set ($28): At under $30 for a pack of four, these towels promised to be a great value; however, they were rather scratchy out of the package. And while they were only a few inches smaller than other contenders, they felt considerably smaller during use, according to our tester, who notes, “I wouldn’t recommend these as bath towels, but they’re a solid option if you’re in the market for dog towels or larger cleaning cloths.”
  • Sand Cloud Terra XL ($80): Sand Cloud’s 100% organic Turkish cotton towels excelled in the absorbency department, sucking 95% of the water in our tests. The downside: They weren’t as quick drying or soft as other contenders with similar specs. Further, the short-pile terry weave isn’t the most luxurious, but our tester says the small loops snagged less than some higher-pile towels she trialed.

Bath Towel Terms To Know

Cormier helped us break down textile terms that are helpful to understand as you search for the best bath towel for your needs:

  • GSM: Standing for grams per square meter, this measurement indicates how thick and weighty a material is. Bath towels fall somewhere between 300 and 900 GSM, becoming more plush and absorbent as the number increases.
  • Long-staple cotton: A “staple” refers to the length of each cotton fiber used in a fabric. Most of the cotton grown in the United States is short-staple Upland cotton, which is ideal for making items like jeans or flannels. Long-staple cotton fibers, which measure approximately 1.25 inches long, are best for bath towels because they yield a softer and stronger final product. Turkish cotton is one example of long-staple cotton.
  • Extra-long-staple cotton: Extra-long-staple cotton fibers, such as Egyptian and Supima, are about 2 inches in length, which lends exceptional softness and absorbency. This type of cotton is used to make more luxurious (and more expensive) towels, but they also maintain their quality over time.
  • Terry: This type of weave is characterized by raised, tightly woven loops of thread on a fabric’s surface. Typically made of 100% cotton, terry towels are known for being fluffy yet absorbent. Sometimes this material is blended with synthetics like polyester and elastane.
  • Waffle weave: Also known as a honeycomb weave, this type of weave consists of raised, rectangular- or square-shaped threads over a fabric, giving it a soft, lightweight texture that’s breathable. While waffle weave fabric isn’t as plush as terry, it dries more quickly and takes up less storage space.
  • Oeko-Tex Certified: An Oeko-Tex label signifies that the towel is free from potentially harmful substances. The Standard 100 certification from Oeko-Tex means every part of the fabric has been tested against 350 chemicals; the Made In Green certification means the textile was produced in an eco-friendly facility.

How We Tested The Best Bath Towels

After researching top contenders, we tested 13 styles for at least three weeks to see which would make worthy additions to our list. (Note: We’ll continue to update this story with longterm testing insights.)

To make sure our methodology was as streamlined and objective as possible, our testers adhered to the following criteria: Each winning towel needed to be plush but absorbent, not “paper thin” but not overly thick, able to dry relatively quickly and capable of withstanding frequent laundering. Before testing, we took note of each towel’s basic specs, including material, construction, size and weight (in the standard GSM (grams per square meter). Next, we began testing for the following criteria:

Weight And Plushness

GSM is the main indicator of plushness, but the actual real-life feel of the towel is a great indicator, too. We made note of how each of these ranked in terms of softness and fluffiness as we took them out of the box, and after a few turns in the washing machine (three full wash-and-dry cycles, to be exact). Then, we analyzed how the manufacturer’s claims stacked up against our in-person experiences.

Drying

First, we hung each of our tested towels on a hook after a shower, then noted how long it took them to feel fully dry again. Second, we purposefully crumpled them up and placed them in a dirty laundry pile after a second shower to see how quickly they dried in a “compromised” position.

Durability

We washed each set of towels a minimum of three times according to the manufacturer’s care instructions. After each wash cycle, we ran the towel through the hottest dryer cycle before repeating the process. We noted which of the towel’s fibers had come loose, if any, and how full the dryer vent was after washing. We also marked if there was any change in stiffness or softness after washing, or loss in color vibrancy.


How To Pick A Bath Towel

Based on our firsthand testing experiences and after speaking to a group of experts, we recommend considering the following qualifications while shopping for a new set of bath towels.

Material And Construction

Nearly all of the towels we tested were made of 100% cotton. Further, there are three types of cotton: short-staple, long-staple and extra-long-staple. When it comes to towels, long-staple cotton (such as Turkish cotton) or extra-long-staple cotton (such as Pima, Supima or Egyptian cotton) are preferable. “Egyptian's softness is better than Turkish towels, so we prefer Egyptian due to its absorbance and overall feel,” says Alexis Vitale of Hermosa Beach-based interior design firm Vitale Design Group.

Sean Cormier, chair of the textile development and marketing department at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, notes that fiber content is one of the most important elements. “Cotton is hydrophilic, which means that it easily absorbs water,” he explains, which is why it’s ideal for towels. Additionally, construction refers to the type of weave showcased by each towel; of course, we exclusively tested waffle weave and terry options.

Weight And Feel

The key to a great towel is its weight, says Vitale. “Towels are weighted in grams or GSM. We prefer to have a GSM of 500 to 900, as this will feel soft and sumptuous.” If you’re after a towel that’s exceptionally plush, look for one with a higher GSM; just note that it may take longer to dry. When it comes to sourcing towels for clients, Vitale says she first considers who will be using the towels (a young child, a teenager or an adult) in order to choose the proper size and construction. “Remember the four F’s,” she advises. “Fit, feel, function and, of course, fashion.”

Durability

It’s important for your purchase to stand the test of time, especially if you’re investing in one of the more expensive brands. Durability is key, and as daily-use products, bath towels should be able to withstand the rigors of regular laundering. (Note that none of our winners showed extreme signs of wear and tear after our laundering tests; they all held onto their color and did not fray or show excessive shrinkage.)


How To Care For Your Bath Towels

If properly cared for, a good bath towel should last you at least a year or more. Besides making sure the towel you choose is made with quality materials and features durable construction, there are proper ways to wash, dry and store it to ensure it retains its softness and absorbency. Textile expert Sean Cormier and Erika Smith, brand manager at Fine Linen and Bath, share their top maintenance tips.

Washing

From color sorting to detergent type to water temperature, here are best practices when washing your bath towels:

  1. Sort your bath towels by color: light/white towels, dark towels and colored towels. Make sure to wash them in a towel-only load, says Smith. “Zippers, buttons and embellishments on clothing can pull at a towel's pile and cause fraying.” Further, make sure not to overload your machine.
  2. Pre-treat stains, choose a gentle detergent and avoid bleach. Smith says, “I recommend using a gentle detergent made to care for luxury linen. I like Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent, which is a plant-based, pH-neutral detergent with a blend of laundry enzymes to target and remove stains.” She adds that bleach can cause yellowing on white towels and fading on colored towels.
  3. Don’t overuse fabric softener—or avoid it altogether. While Cormier says fabric softener can be helpful in keeping your bath towel soft, Smith’s advice is to steer clear altogether if you can. The latter explains, “Fabric softener (and dryer sheets) leave a waxy build-up on towels that make them less absorbent.”
  4. Use warm water in a normal cycle. (The exception to this would be if you’re cleaning the towel to restore its softness, which we address in the Maintaining Softness section below.) Smith adds, “Give the towels a gentle shake after the wash cycle is done.”

Drying And Storing

Smith stresses avoiding dryer/fabric softener sheets when drying your bath towels. “These products purport to make your towels softer, but they actually create an illusion of softness by leaving a waxy coating on the towel fibers. This waxy film makes your towel less absorbent,” she explains. Follow her suggested drying protocol below, instead:

  1. Dry on medium heat. “Excessive heat can damage cotton/bamboo fibers and cause damage,” says Smith.
  2. Use organic wool dryer balls. These will naturally soften your towels and speed drying time.
  3. Store them in a cool, dry place. Make sure to rotate which bath towels you use to ensure even wear. “If you see a stray thread, snip it level with the towel’s pile/loop to prevent pulling,” Smith says.

Smith highlights that the weight of your towel will influence how quickly it dries while still retaining its softness and absorbency. Heavy, super-plush towels (in the 800 GSM range) will take a longer time to dry on a towel rack or in the dryer than lower-weight towels, not to mention fill up your machine quickly. “Choosing a midweight towel—somewhere between 500 and 600 GSM—strikes a great balance between softness/absorbency and shorter drying time,” she says.

Keeping Your Bath Towels Soft

According to Smith, even the highest-quality towels that are properly cared for can become stiff and scratchy and lose absorbency over time. “This can be due to build-up of laundry detergent and, most commonly, the minerals in hard water,” she says. The following is her recommended cleaning routine for restoring your bath towel’s absorbency and softness.

  1. Use hot (not scalding) water and add one cup of distilled white vinegar. “This will strip towels of any built-up residue and help restore absorbency,” says Smith. Make sure to avoid detergent in this instance.
  2. Run the load another time with a half-cup of baking soda. This will refresh your bath towel and remove any lingering odors, notes Smith. Again, avoid using detergent.
  3. Dry per the bath towel’s care instructions, and skip the dryer sheets. “You can repeat this process when needed to keep your towels soft, fluffy and smelling fresh,” Smith says.

It’s worth noting that Cormier says the use of hot water will help kill germs, which can be responsible for lingering odors and stiffness. He also advises going for a 100% cotton bath towel if softness is the most important feature for you.


How Often Should I Replace My Bath Towels?

You’ll need to replace your bath towel on average every one to two years, but this frequency depends on its quality and construction, frequency of use, and whether it’s washed and dried properly. Find out more about how various factors affect your bath towel’s longevity, below.

Towel Quality

The quality of your bath towel is particularly important, according to Smith. “Investing in premium bath towels is smart because they will last far longer, staying attractive and absorbent long after discount brand towels have worn threadbare and needed replacing.”

Material And Absorbency

A decrease in absorbency is another indicator of longevity, according to textile expert Sean Cormier, who says the average lifespan of a bath towel is about a year. He notes, “Towels made with a pile weave, such as a terry cloth, are best to absorb moisture, but they can flatten over time, making them less absorbent.”

Proper Maintenance

In addition to obvious signs like rips, holes and excessive fraying, other indications that your bath towel needs replacing include a noticeable loss of softness or plushness, stiffness due to mildew buildup, persistent odor from bacteria despite proper washing, and significant color fading.


Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team are invested in in-depth research, accurate reporting and firsthand testing, as exemplified by this guide. Relatedly, our team has published a large collection of content that covers the best bathroom products to upgrade your space.

  • Kim Peiffer, Forbes Vetted’s features director and the author of this piece, has an enormous amount of experience testing lifestyle-focused products. She’s worked as an editor for two decades, professionally reviewing products for over 10 years.
  • Our home and kitchen team’s towel expertise includes the production of several other related guides, which include roundups of the best towels on Amazon, best waffle towels and best bath sheets.
  • We recruited a testing panel to use, dry and launder the top bath towels chosen for testing, considering their firsthand experience when selecting our winners.
  • We regularly refresh this story to update information, add new testing insights and re-evaluate our list of winners. This story was last updated by home and kitchen writer Fran Sales in June 2025; she refreshed our bath towel FAQs and added a section on when to replace your towels.

We interviewed three experts to share insights on bath towels and inform our recommendations:

  • Sean Cormier, who worked as a textile engineer for 18 years before assuming the role of chair of the textile development and marketing department at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology.
  • Erika Smith, brand manager at Fine Linen and Bath, an online retailer of luxury home linens. The brand sells bedding, towels and table linen European and American textile companies like Abyss & Habidecor, Matouk, Graccioza and Yves Delorme.
  • Alexis Vitale, founder of Hermosa Beach-based interior design firm Vitale Design Group.

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WHAT WE UPDATED

We added expert tips on when to replace your bath towels and refreshed our FAQ section.

We updated pricing and added expert tips on how to keep your bath towels soft over time. 

We incorporated new testing feedback, refreshed our FAQ section and enhanced our buying guide with more tips.